{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMichael Kusch is the incumbent Republican member of the Rutherford County Commission representing District 7, a seat he has held since September 2014; his current term is set to expire in August 2026.[1] He is seeking re-election on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot against Democrat Catie Beth Thomas.[2][3]\n\n## Career\nKusch is a businessman who has served on the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce executive committee and as chairman of the Chamber's Rutherford County Economic Development Council.[4] He was named among the Nashville Business Journal's 2014 Rutherford County Impact Award winners.[4] He has also served as a member of the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission.[1][4]\n\n## Office history\nKusch has represented District 7 on the Rutherford County Commission since September 2014.[1] He serves on the commission's Planning Commission, Public Works & Planning Committee, and Steering, Legislative & Governmental Committee.[1]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [District 7 Commissioner - Michael Kusch, Rutherford County, TN](https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/?SEC=%7BF05CA247-AFD2-4BED-9D90-094EED4BDF00%7D&Type=B_LIST) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [August 6, 2026 General Election Candidate List, Rutherford County, TN](https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/uploads/dm/79794/August_6_General_Election_Candidate_list.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Election Deadline: Who Qualified for 2026 RuCo Primary - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/97847/election-deadline-who-qualified-for-2026-ruco-primary) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[4] [Rutherford County Commission Race Grows - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/15526/rutherford-county-commission-race-grows-) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_7","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 07"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"MICHAEL","fullname":"MICHAEL KUSCH","lastname":"KUSCH","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_7","contest_title":"County Commission District 07","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_7","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_7","contest_title":"County Commission District 07","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_7","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_7","office_title":"County Commission District 07","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Incumbent Republican Rutherford County Commissioner for District 7 since 2014; businessman and county planning commissioner seeking re-election in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"Nir6drBoWm"}